Medication Aide State Certified Exam Study
Guide | MACE Prep 2026
This professional clinical resource is a premier test bank explicitly engineered for
nursing assistants and healthcare professionals preparing for the official Medication
Aide Certification Examination (MACE) or state-specific Certified Medication Aide
(CMA) Examination. It features high-yield, scenario-based practice questions, 100%
verified correct answers, and thorough pharmacological and clinical rationales
fully updated for the current testing cycle. Reviewing these testing parameters ensures
absolute competence across the seven rights of medication administration, vital signs
criteria (such as withholding digoxin for apical pulse under 60 bpm), infection control,
and scope of practice limitations to guarantee you clear your state competency
benchmark on the first attempt
Question 1:
Which of the following is the correct action for a medication aide when a resident
refuses a scheduled medication?
A. Crush the medication and hide it in food
B. Document the refusal and notify the nurse
C. Force the resident to take the medication
D. Leave the medication at the bedside for later
Answer: B. Document the refusal and notify the nurse
Rationale: Residents have the right to refuse medications. The aide should document the
refusal and notify the nurse, who will follow up.
Question 2:
A medication aide is preparing to administer furosemide. Which laboratory value should
the aide monitor for potential side effects?
A. Potassium
B. Sodium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
,Answer: A. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia. Potassium levels
should be monitored.
Question 3:
Levothyroxine should be administered at which time?
A. With breakfast
B. On an empty stomach, 30–60 minutes before breakfast
C. At bedtime
D. With dinner
Answer: B. On an empty stomach, 30–60 minutes before breakfast
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is increased on an empty stomach. It should be given
30–60 minutes before breakfast.
Question 4:
What is the antidote for acetaminophen overdose?
A. Naloxone
B. Acetylcysteine
C. Flumazenil
D. Vitamin K
Answer: B. Acetylcysteine
Rationale: Acetylcysteine is the antidote for acetaminophen overdose. Naloxone is for
opioids, flumazenil for benzodiazepines, and vitamin K for warfarin.
Question 5:
Which medication requires monitoring of the INR?
A. Heparin
B. Warfarin
C. Aspirin
D. Clopidogrel
,Answer: B. Warfarin
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that requires monitoring of the INR to ensure
therapeutic levels and prevent bleeding.
Question 6:
How should a medication aide administer a sublingual nitroglycerin tablet?
A. Swallow with water
B. Chew and swallow
C. Place under the tongue and let dissolve
D. Apply to the skin
Answer: C. Place under the tongue and let dissolve
Rationale: Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve for
rapid absorption.
Question 7:
A resident is prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual. What should the aide instruct the
resident to do if chest pain persists after taking three doses?
A. Take a fourth dose
B. Call for emergency help
C. Lie down and rest
D. Drink a glass of water
Answer: B. Call for emergency help
Rationale: If chest pain persists after three sublingual nitroglycerin doses, the resident
should seek emergency medical attention.
Question 8:
Which of the following is a sign of hypoglycemia?
A. Polyuria
B. Polydipsia
, C. Shakiness
D. Fruity breath
Answer: C. Shakiness
Rationale: Shakiness, diaphoresis, and confusion are signs of hypoglycemia. Polyuria,
polydipsia, and fruity breath are signs of hyperglycemia.
Question 9:
A resident's blood glucose is 50 mg/dL. What should the medication aide do first?
A. Administer insulin
B. Give a fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Notify the nurse
D. Recheck blood glucose in 1 hour
Answer: B. Give a fast-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: For hypoglycemia, a fast-acting carbohydrate should be given immediately,
then notify the nurse.
Question 10:
Which medication is used to treat anaphylaxis?
A. Epinephrine
B. Diphenhydramine
C. Albuterol
D. Prednisone
Answer: A. Epinephrine
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. Diphenhydramine and
albuterol are adjuncts. Prednisone is not immediate.
Question 11:
Which of the following is a common side effect of opioid analgesics?
A. Diarrhea
Guide | MACE Prep 2026
This professional clinical resource is a premier test bank explicitly engineered for
nursing assistants and healthcare professionals preparing for the official Medication
Aide Certification Examination (MACE) or state-specific Certified Medication Aide
(CMA) Examination. It features high-yield, scenario-based practice questions, 100%
verified correct answers, and thorough pharmacological and clinical rationales
fully updated for the current testing cycle. Reviewing these testing parameters ensures
absolute competence across the seven rights of medication administration, vital signs
criteria (such as withholding digoxin for apical pulse under 60 bpm), infection control,
and scope of practice limitations to guarantee you clear your state competency
benchmark on the first attempt
Question 1:
Which of the following is the correct action for a medication aide when a resident
refuses a scheduled medication?
A. Crush the medication and hide it in food
B. Document the refusal and notify the nurse
C. Force the resident to take the medication
D. Leave the medication at the bedside for later
Answer: B. Document the refusal and notify the nurse
Rationale: Residents have the right to refuse medications. The aide should document the
refusal and notify the nurse, who will follow up.
Question 2:
A medication aide is preparing to administer furosemide. Which laboratory value should
the aide monitor for potential side effects?
A. Potassium
B. Sodium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
,Answer: A. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia. Potassium levels
should be monitored.
Question 3:
Levothyroxine should be administered at which time?
A. With breakfast
B. On an empty stomach, 30–60 minutes before breakfast
C. At bedtime
D. With dinner
Answer: B. On an empty stomach, 30–60 minutes before breakfast
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is increased on an empty stomach. It should be given
30–60 minutes before breakfast.
Question 4:
What is the antidote for acetaminophen overdose?
A. Naloxone
B. Acetylcysteine
C. Flumazenil
D. Vitamin K
Answer: B. Acetylcysteine
Rationale: Acetylcysteine is the antidote for acetaminophen overdose. Naloxone is for
opioids, flumazenil for benzodiazepines, and vitamin K for warfarin.
Question 5:
Which medication requires monitoring of the INR?
A. Heparin
B. Warfarin
C. Aspirin
D. Clopidogrel
,Answer: B. Warfarin
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that requires monitoring of the INR to ensure
therapeutic levels and prevent bleeding.
Question 6:
How should a medication aide administer a sublingual nitroglycerin tablet?
A. Swallow with water
B. Chew and swallow
C. Place under the tongue and let dissolve
D. Apply to the skin
Answer: C. Place under the tongue and let dissolve
Rationale: Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve for
rapid absorption.
Question 7:
A resident is prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual. What should the aide instruct the
resident to do if chest pain persists after taking three doses?
A. Take a fourth dose
B. Call for emergency help
C. Lie down and rest
D. Drink a glass of water
Answer: B. Call for emergency help
Rationale: If chest pain persists after three sublingual nitroglycerin doses, the resident
should seek emergency medical attention.
Question 8:
Which of the following is a sign of hypoglycemia?
A. Polyuria
B. Polydipsia
, C. Shakiness
D. Fruity breath
Answer: C. Shakiness
Rationale: Shakiness, diaphoresis, and confusion are signs of hypoglycemia. Polyuria,
polydipsia, and fruity breath are signs of hyperglycemia.
Question 9:
A resident's blood glucose is 50 mg/dL. What should the medication aide do first?
A. Administer insulin
B. Give a fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Notify the nurse
D. Recheck blood glucose in 1 hour
Answer: B. Give a fast-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: For hypoglycemia, a fast-acting carbohydrate should be given immediately,
then notify the nurse.
Question 10:
Which medication is used to treat anaphylaxis?
A. Epinephrine
B. Diphenhydramine
C. Albuterol
D. Prednisone
Answer: A. Epinephrine
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. Diphenhydramine and
albuterol are adjuncts. Prednisone is not immediate.
Question 11:
Which of the following is a common side effect of opioid analgesics?
A. Diarrhea
